Pump controlling



Nov, 4, 1947. K. R. LUNG 2,430,352

PUMP CONTROLLING Filed Oct. 17, 1944 3/ :2 22 4 i 43 -/0 3a 6 \Fl 3 4/ 33 Kwn/rwthQ 3 a LJ K 36 J: 3 9% I h v Fig 4 Patented Nov. 4, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUMP CONTROLLING Application October 17, 1944, Serial No. 559,074

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to water systems having tanks for reserve volume with pumps for Water replenishment, includin air therewith for supplementing pressure against too wide a range of drop between automatic intermittent pumpings.

This invention has utility'when incorporated in interconnected controlling means for the pump, not only as to lift from a well source of water supply, but for the pump operation as to reserve of water and air in the tank. The control mechanism herein is compactly built and assembled for automatically responding to a wide range of variant conditions in the well or water source as to the pump location, and as to the reserve or tank requirements in responding to ressure drop and whether or not air be supplied with the water.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view, with parts broken away, showing an embodiment of the invention in connection with an installation of a tank, motor-driven rotary pump, and well, with the pump controlling mechanism located between the pump and tank;

Fig. 2 is an end view of features of the controller unit of the invention, a portion being in section to show the air injector device;

Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinalsection of the unit of Fig. 2, with the parts inidle or non-flow position for the liquid or water;

Fig. 4 is another partial longitudinal section of the opposite or lower portion of the unit of Fig. 3, and with the parts shifted for water flow-therethru to the tank;

Fig. 5 is a detail View on an enlarged scale, and in section of, the air charging timing control port adapted to be installed between the controller unit and the tank being charged; and

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram of electrical features.

Electric power supply lines I, may be connected thru a manually adjusted pressure switch 2 for automatic operation of an electric motor 3, direct connected to a centrifugal pump 4. A portion of the discharge from the pump 4 may be conducted by a pipe 5 into a well 6 and at a fitting 1 direct a water jet thru a nozzle 8 into a tapering way injector or Venturi type duct-section 9, for promoting water flow from an intake or foot valve device 10 by way of a duct ll thru the fitting 1, the Venturi type duct-section 9 and pipe I2 for axial intake to the pump 4. A desirable range of water lift to the pump is thereby rendered effective.

Surplus discharge, as well as discharge pressure from the pump 4, is not only thru the pipe 5, but the normal effective supply is by way of a pipe 13 into a chamber l4 of a housing unit l5.

Air injector The chamber 44 (Fig. 2) has, in the upper portion thereof and extending thereacross, a screen or filter l6 to a nozzle H. An air intake check valve I8 has a duct 18 extending to the nozzle I1. Pressure flow from the nozzle l1 creates a pull or in-draft to open the valve I8 and bring in air to be delivered thru the tapered second injector or Venturi section 20 into a chamber 2! of the housing [5. The direction of this injected air supply to the chamber 2| is into a take-off pipe 22 extending to a lower portion of a reserve tank 23. With liquid or water in the closed tank 23, the air rises into the upper portion of the tank 23. The automatic operation of the pump 4 is due to the cutting in by the valve device or switch 2.

Timer forth-e air inje tor When the nozzle l'l operates at less than the capacity for the pump 4, there is a building up of pressure in the chamber l4, effective thru a port 24 (Fig. 4) to enter a chamber 25 and act upon a flexible diaphragm 26 to urge such against the resistance of a compression helical spring 21 in a chamber 28. This movement of the diaphragm 26 which reduces the volume of the chamber 28 causes flow from the chamber 28 by way of a duct 29 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5). A restricted port 30 (Fig. 5) allows more rapid flow of air, if air be the charge in the chamber 28, with less flow rate should the charge in the chamber 28 be all water.

When the water in the tank 23 rises above the connection of the duct 29 to the tank 23, the chamber 28.is filled with water. Then, upon this starting of the pump 4, there is a slow or delayed shifting of the diaphragm 26 due to the holding back from the slower flow rate of the liquid thru the port 30. This low fiow rate in the returning of water to the tank 23 is more than compensated by the increased volume of air coming to the tank 23 by way of the Venturi section 20 and the pipe 22. Accordingly, by locating the connection of the duct 29 sufficiently down from the top of the tank 23, the expansible medium or air cushion may smooth out to some extent pressure drop as water may be drawn from the tank 23 in its normal servicing operations. Thereby the frequency of pump startings may be reduced. At a pump starting, to the extent the chamber 28 be charged with air, the diaphragm 26 may move with minimum of lag in its automatic timing control.

Water supply to the tank The shifting of the diaphragm 26 not only re duces the efiective volume of the chamber 28, but moves a cylindrical valve 3| to expose its annular series of ports 32 in the chamber 25. The pumped water supply from the pipe l3, chamber l4, port 24, chamber 25, ports 32 (Figs. 3, 4), way 33, chamber 2|, may now flow as a regular supply by the pipe 22 (Figs. 1, 2) into the tank 23. This movement of the diaphragm 26 from its limit position to the left in Fig. 3, to its limit position to the right in Fig. 4, opens the valve thru the ports 32 to have flow from the chamber I4 thru the port 24 into the chamber 2| of such volume as to bypass the second injector l1. With the valve 32 open, the result is water flow thru the p pe 22 into the tank 23. During the lag or delay interval, as controlled by the duct 29 and the port 30, there was some air replenishment into the tank 23, due to the action of the injector supplying this air with its discharge into the pipe 22.

Pump .cut- 077 As the predetermined set for the pressure in the tank 23 is approached, such reacts thru the pipe 22 into the chamber 2|, and from thence by a duct 34 extending to the switch 2. This means, that at the set pressure maximum, the opening of the switch 2 shuts off the motor 3 and the pump 4 is stopped.

Pump volume delivery control When the diaphragm 28 opens the cylinder valve device 3!, 32, there is such approach to the full volume of supply coming to the pump 4 by way of the pipe i2 -that there is a decrease in the pressure in the intake to the pump 4. A duct 35 (Figs. 1, 2) therefrom is to the unit housing i5, and is there in communication thru a way 36 (Fig. 4) with a chamber 3'5 to act upon a flexible diaphragm 38.

The diaphragm 38 is fixed with a stem 39 carrying a poppet valve portion it! to cut-off or restrict flow from the way 33 in the valve 3|. The stem 39 extends right on thru the valve 3| to a piston 4| in the cylinder 3 The stem 39 has its end extend into a guide 42 (Figs. 3, 4), The guide 42 is in a socket 43 abutted by a compression helical spring M about the stem 39 and extending to the piston ii. The spring i l has concentrically thereabout the spring 27. There is thus provided, by the spring 54, yieldable means norm-ally holding the diaphragm 38 to leave the chamber 37 of full volume, The unit i has a head '45 with a central port 46. The inner side of this head 4'5 provides a seat against which the diaphragm 38 tends normally to lodge. However, as there be pressure drop in the pipe i2, transmitted by way of the duct 35, way 86, to the chamber 31, atmospheric air pressure thru the port 46 causes the diaphragm 3-8 to move away from the head 35, against the resistance of the spring 4 1, Thi shifts the poppet valve portion 40 to restrict flow from the way '33. In the adjustment provided herein, such reduction in the water flow delivery thru the valve 3|, 32, the chamber 2|, and the pipe 22, to the tank 23 cooperates for the maintained volume hand-ling by the pump '4, to have such excess return by the pipe 5 to boost the operation of the Venturi section 9 for a balanced efficient operation of the installation. 7

A design of installation herein for a single stage rotary or rather centrifugal pump, operated by a A; H. P. motor, may have an :efiicient suction orlift of 17. In conformity thereto, a setting for the automatic control in the range of pressure drop, say as to the range of 15" of mercury, is advantageous for the delivery choking thru the poppet valve device 40. This takes into account the variation in water level in the well or supply source. In fact, it comes into service during an interval of pumping when the level may be lowered, or even be raised in the well. The self-adjustment control works both ways.

The motor and pump unit, with the well con nection therefor, as herein disclosed, are generally along the lines of the showing in applicants Patent 2,319,509, May 18, 1943, Pump starting controller.

Operation Herein the impeller pump t has a suction intake l2, and therefor a supply extension for the intake including a first injector 8. From the pump 4 are discharge lines I3 and 5. The latter line 5 operates the injector 8. In the delivery duct 22 from the discharge line I3 is located the multiple valve unit housing i5 for this hydraulic system. In this unit housing there is located a second injector adapted to bypass the main or primary valve 3|, 32, as a sleeve or tubular valve element. This second injector l1 operates to draw air into the system from the normally closed check valve l8 for such air to be delivered into the duct 22 and thence to the tank 23, even tho the valve 3|, 32 be still closed. If there be only air or gas in the chamber 28, the delivery pressure of the pump 4 may effect relatively quick opening of the valve 3|, 32, thereby to build up the pressure in the chamber 2| with some drop for the pressure in the chamber It. This dcfeats further functioning of the injector ll. When there be liquid in the chamber 28, its slower than air flow thru the restriction 30 back to the tank 23, delays opening of the valve 3|, 32, and allows a greater volume of air to be brought into the system. Preselected spring 44 is, in an eflicient installation, set for responding to hold the intake pressure of the pipe i2 for about 17 lift. This means that the poppet valve it] in its delivery flow modifying action may choke the flow to the pipe 22, with resulting greater flow in the pipe 5 to insure bringing up the water level or intake for the pump 4. With a single stage pump t, and the water .level down say 35', as much as of the water discharged by the pump 4 may be re turned thru the pipe 5. A two-stage pump .could send 7;; of the water pumped to the tank.

When there be water in the chamber 28, and the port 30 be .015 diameter, the lag is 10 seconds. At the non-flow position for water thru the unit, except as to the injector l! for the tank 23, the Valve 3|, 32, is closed and -the diaphragm 26 is dished into the chamber 25 (Fig. 3). When the valve 3|, 32, is opened, the diaphragm 26 has been effective to such end by dishing away from the chamber 25 and into the chamber 28. This initial movement may shift the valve cylinder 3| .clear of the piston or poppet valve 49 therein, The valve 42 is connected to the second diaphragm 38. The diaphragm 38 (Fig. 3) is dished to the left or against the head 55. The spring 44 urges the stem 39, on which the valve i is fixed, to hold the diaphragm 3-8 toward the head 15. As the intake suction to the pump 4 tends to reduce the pressure in the supply pipe Hi, this pressure drop is transmitted thru the duct 35 to the way 36 and the chamber '31. With this sub-atmospheric pressure relieving the holding action of the spring 4 the atmospheric pressure thru the port-'46 may act on the opposite side of the diaphragm 38 and move the poppet valve 40 toward restricting the fiow thru the cylinder 3|. This movement of the diaphragm 38 (Fig.4) is toward the diaphragm 26.

What is claimed and it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An impeller pump having a discharge therefrom, a suction intake thereto, a supply extension -for the intake including a first injector, a line from the discharge to operate the first injector, said discharge having a delivery duct, a pressure tank to which the delivery duct'extends, valve means in the delivery duct to cut off discharge flow from the pump to the tank, a second injector having pump discharge excess fiow therethru, a check-valve-controlled air supply from which the second injector is effective to introduce air into the discharge duct for the tank between the valve means and the tank, and a valve means opening control including a resistance chamber and a restricted way-providing duct directly between the chamber and the tank.

2. An impeller pump having a discharge therefrom, a suction intake thereto, a supply extension for the intake including a first injector, a line from the discharge to operate the first injector, said discharge having a delivery duct, a pressure tank to which the delivery duct extends, a valve to cut oil discharge flow from the pump to the tank, a second injector having pump discharge excess flow therethru, an air supply for the second injector, an intake-permitting check valve for the air supply opened by the second injector operation to deliver air in the delivery duct past the valve for supply to the tank, a diaphragm including chamber to hold the valve closed, said chamber on the side of the diaphragm opposing valve opening having a restricted-passage-providing way directly to the tank adapted for more ready response to gas than liquid flow to the tank, said chamber opposite side having communication with pump discharge pressure to shift the diaphragm to open the valve.

3. An impeller pump having a discharge therefrom, a suction intake thereto, a supply extension for the intake including an injector, a line from the discharge to operate the injector, said discharge having a delivery duct, valve means in the delivery duct to cut oil discharge flow from the pump, a pump discharge flow pressure device for opening the valve means, and a pump suction connected automatic valve restriction for modifying valve means opening flow discharge from the pump.

4. An impeller pump having a discharge therefrom, a suction intake thereto, a supply extension for the intake including an injector, a line from the discharge to operate the injector, said discharge having a delivery duct, a pump-delivery-pressure-opened valve adapted When closed to cut off discharge flow from the pump, additional valve means for modifying pump discharge thru said opened valve, and connection from the suction intake to control the additional valve means.

5. An impeller pump having a discharge therefrom, a suction intake thereto, a supply extension for the intake including a first injector, a line from the discharge to operate the first injector, said discharge having a delivery duct, a pressure tank to which the delivery duct extends, said duct being adapted to deliver liquid to the tank for the tank to provide a gas chamber section over the liquid therein, valve means in the delivery duct to cut off discharge now from the pump to the tank, a second injector adapted to replenish gas to the tank, said second injector having pump discharge excess fiow therethru, and a duct from the tank gas chamber section to react on the valve means, there being a check-valve-controlled gas supply for the second injector and an automatic timing control for the second injector in said duct.

6. An impeller pump having a discharge therefrom, a suction intake thereto, a supply extension for the intake including an injector, a line from the discharge to operate the injector, said discharge having a delivery duct, a pump-deliverypressure-opened valve provided with port means adapted when said port means be closed to cut off discharge flow to the delivery duct, a piston movable relatively to the valve port means to open and close the port means, and a control connection for the piston operable from the intake.

'7. A hydraulic system control comprising a pump having a discharge and an intake, a valve unit housing connected to the pump discharge, said housing having a recess, a diaphragm across the recess in the housing and forming a partition separating the recess into a pair of chambers approximately coaxial with each other, a delivery duct from the housing, and relatively telescopic valve means in the housing actuable from the diaphragm and providing control communication from the discharge thru one of the chambers to the delivery duct.

8. For a hydraulic system having a tank for receiving liquid and gas, a liquid delivering pump connected to the tank, and a gas charger control to the tank responsive to the pump operation, said control comprising an injector for bringing into the system gas for the tank, an injector-bypassing valve openable from flow excess to the injector to nullify functioning of the injector, and a fluid timing device duct from the tank to the valve adjusting the duration of the injector operation.

KENNETH R. LUNG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,274,987 Lung Mar. 3, 1942 2,279,948 Kent Apr. 14, 1942 2,286,613 Fuller June 16, 1942 2,288,437 Conery et al June 30, 1942 2,289,772 Gilman et a1 July 14, 1942 2,319,509 Lung May 18, 1943 2,347,472 Dorward Apr. 25, 1944 

